Project takes aim at underage drinking during hunting season

COLEMAN, Wis. (WFRV) -- The Healthy Youth Coalition of Marinette and Menominee Counties is on a mission to make kids more aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. They're hoping a new campaign taking aim at underage drinking during hunting season gets the message across to parents as well.

It's sticker shock of a different sorts at Piggly Wiggly in Coleman.

"A lot of people are coming in with groups of people going to their hunting camps and up north," Mandy Pillath, Assistant Store Manager, said.

People are stocking up on alcohol and it's not always just for themselves.

"A lot of people, when they go hunting are like, 'oh we're going to go drinking.' Obviously they're underage and somebody has to buy it for them," Kara Payette, an HYC member, said.

"We're sticking stickers on all the beer to help people be aware of what the cost is if you provide alcohol to a minor," Brittany Rodge, an HYC member, explained.

Healthy Youth Coalition members from Coleman High School are hoping the bright yellow stickers raise some red flags for adults thinking of supplying to minors.

"I think our community is very well known for our camps and camp parties that are occurring," Karianne Caylor, Community Health Educator, said. "Also we've been hearing from a lot of youth that parents are celebrating their child getting their first buck with their first beer. So we want to make sure that that social norm is broken."

According to police, a first offense of supplying to a minor carries a fine of  up to a $500, but the consequences could run even deeper.

"It's serious criminally," Deputy Fred Popp, with the Marinette County Sheriff's Department, explained.  "But I don't think a lot of people realize that, civilly, they could be held responsible as well. Especially if someone gets killed leaving one of these parties that they're hosting. That's a big risk to take."

 It's something these kids hope sticks in the minds of everyone buying alcohol.

"They don't think they're going to get caught," added Payette. "but they will."

The group put more than 2,000 stickers on alcohol products around Marinette county Thursday.

It's a project that originated from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.